The latest revision to the guidelines on Japan-U.S. defense cooperation potentially expands the scope of the Self-Defense Forces' joint operation with the U.S. military on a global scale in ways that transcend the original architecture of the postwar security treaty between the two countries.

In Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's view, Japan needs to regain, wherever possible, the right of independent decision-making if it is to manage successfully the challenge posed to it by China. He seeks a policy of voluntary cooperation with the U.S.

Contrary to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's claim, Japan has not received a clear assurance from the U.S. that it can continue to retain high tariffs on such sensitive agricultural products as rice as a condition for joining the TPP talks.